Edta

EDTA (and its salts like disodium/tetrasodium EDTA) is a chelating agent typically used at low concentrations (~0.05–0.2%) to improve stability and preservative performance. Clinical patch testing and real‑world use show it is generally well tolerated, with irritation being uncommon but possible in highly compromised or eczematous skin—often more due to barrier status and formula context than EDTA itself. Given my safety-first approach for sensitive populations, I rate it as very gentle rather than inert. Safety Notes: Across mass-market and prestige skincare, EDTA salts (commonly disodium or tetrasodium EDTA) are typically used as chelators at very low levels, with many leave-on creams/serums and cleansers using ~0.01–0.05% primarily for metal-ion control and preservative support. Higher-strength OTC products (especially rinse-off cleansers, shampoos/body washes, and some acid/soap-leaning formulas needing stronger sequestration) are observed up to ~0.20–0.30%, which aligns with practical solubility/feel constraints and common supplier/industry use guidance; concentrations above this are uncommon in standard consumer skincare.